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Making Glow Jars

Yesterday Sydney and I had a major art and craft day, and also experimented with making glow jars. They have been floating around Pinterest for awhile now and look like so much fun! However, there is one tutorial that frustrates me. The image is clearly Photoshopped, and I think it’s very misleading. So, I decided to make a couple of our own jars so we can share our experience and method with you. I must admit, frustration aside, I was intrigued with the photoshopped glow jar image, it’s actually called fairies in a jar, and I wanted to try and replicate the glowing ‘fairies’ that appear to be suspended in mid-air. To do this, I used a piece of tulle. Here is my tutorial, please note that I used red netting for tutorial reasons only (it photographs better than thin white tulle):

You will need a glass jar, glow sticks (I picked some up from the dollar store), rubber gloves to protect your hands, scissors, I recommend protective eyewear, and a piece of tulle (optional).

If you are using the tulle, cut a piece slightly larger than the jar, and place inside.

Now, put on those rubber gloves. Crack the glow stick to active the glow material. Insert the end of the glow stick into the jar and cut the tip. It’s important to do this step with the glow stick in the jar as to avoid splashing, remember that you are working with chemicals. There is also a glass vile inside the plastic tube, and that glass breaks when you crack the stick. So best to keep all the tiny glass bits contained within your jar!

Next, stir and shake the cut glow stick around inside your jar. You will need some patience for this part, as it doesn’t just flow out easily. In some instances, the glow material may get clogged due to a large piece of glass that didn’t break. I disposed of these sticks and used a new one, for safety reasons.

Once you have the desired amount of glow material in your jar, replace the lid and shake it up. I used about 3 bracelet size sticks per jar.

Here are all three jars we made. The first one on the left is just glow stick material by itself. The middle jar uses a piece of white tulle. And the last jar is the one I made for tutorial purposes only.

Now turn off the lights and watch them glow! Here is the first jar:

And here is the jar with the white tulle. As you can see it looks a little more like that Photoshopped fairy jar, there are glowing specks that appear to be floating and suspended in mid-air.

All in all it was a fun project. Sydney couldn’t help make the jars, but she sure had fun watching them glow in the dark!

absolutely amazing, my kiddos gonna love this! I’m going to surprise them this weekend or actually this is a really good activity to distract them from papas games, the cooking game series they play 24/7. Thanks for the inspiring project.

This looks pretty cool. Glow sticks usually only last a few hours. The glow in the dark “things” can be recharged just by putting them in a strong light. The glow “things” could be ‘glow in the dark’ stars, Halloween teeth, and probably other things like that. If you are willing, you may be able to cut or shave pieces off to get stuck in the netting. As far as paint goes, check out the paint to see what it works on. You can get this tulle with other things that you buy. If you buy apples or onions in a bag, the bag might be the right kind of stuff, (something stiff, “net-like” and a color that will work.) I wonder what this would look like using a plastic jar. At least a plastic jar wouldn’t break.

Since it’s a glow stick, i figure that it stay in a glowing mode for about 24/48 hours max and is not rechargable. I think the best would be to work with glowing powder sold on e-bay or in a artcraft store…

Thank you for posting your very informative directions. I feel like such a dummy after reading through the other tutorial looking for the obvious in which to activate the sticks first or not! Nicely done!!

Hi there! Awesome tutorial! I was just wondering, how long did the glow last in the jars, since glow sticks usually lose the glow after a few hours? I wanted to make some for my little sister! Thanks a bunch!

question : – how long it last the liquid of the glowing stick after is taken out of the stick? ; I just wanted to know if it last from 4 to 12 hours or if it would give the glowing illumination each time you leave it under the sun ?

I guess it depends on your glow stick. I’ve never heard of a glow stick that can be recharged in the sun, only glow paint can do that (and if you end up using glow paint, try fabric glow paint, because it’s brighter). Glow sticks can last anywhere from 3 hours to a full day, so if you want a fairy jar that lasts longer, try using glow fabric paint or buy some extra glow sticks to add when the light is gone on the first glowsticks.

My daughter got glowinthedark nail polish that glowed til it chipped off. I might try it with the nail polish. Every time it gets sunlight it’s reactivated and glows again. Maybe if I leave it by the window and use a plastic mason jar, I can use it as a night light. Just a thought…Cool project!

Thank you for sorting out the frustration in this craft,I appreciate it.
For those rude, selfish, inconsiderate, asinine people with their intangible comments, shut up. This is not your blog, your rudeness is the problem with too many people in this world; besides the fact we have a horrible president. For your information, there is no rule stating not to type in caps; however, the respectful polite gesture is to not use them, because everyone who has knowledge of computers, knows using caps while typing is insinuating, yelling…And that is rude. Sorry to the Gold Jellybean

Really great and beautiful. And all i need is a glowstick and a empty glass – amazing
its a good gift for a romantic candlelightdinner with shine lights of glowsticks/ light sticks or knicklichter (we called it in germany)

Seriously. this many responses and questions…”can I put a candle in it” “will it still glow tomorrow”..what part of glow stick didn’t you get? And what is with all this bit about glass? No, the reason the glow juice didn’t flow is because you didn’t cut the top to allow for air to get in…why didn’t you guys buy regular glow sticks instead of several bracelets? That is silly and a waste of money.

I have made something similar to this but added water to a bottle and bought the bigger wand type glow sticks Cut them open and dumped the material in the water bottle. My grandsons had a blast playing with them. They lasted for about 3 days. This is a cool site to get great ideas.

REPEAT STILL NOT BEING HATEFUL OR SUCH…..WHO MADE THE RULES, I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE CAPITALS, WORRY ABOUT COST OF LIVING OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS IMPORTANT, YES I AM A DEMOCRAT AND VOTED FOR YOUR PRESIDENT OBAMA. THANK YOU FOR COMMENTS.
JUDY

Wait, what?! Stop. This is a nice mom’s craft blog. What are you doing? One of you are a reasonable person getting sucked into fighting. Could you please step back and look at this thing that’s happening and start ignoring the crazy one. We don’t need to feed the negativity.

How can anyone admit to voting for Obama? Please get educated rather than tooting your horn about being a democrat. Learn the facts from any source other than the party driven main stream media. For your own good, Judy because as it stands you appear ignorant or stupid. Please secretly get educated then you’ll probably lose your anger. Good luck with that from an American Soldier.

IF YOU ARE ADDRESSNG ME, BACK OFF, I AM EDUCATED PERSON, IN FACT IF YOU WERE HERE WHERE I LIVE I PROBABLY TOOK CARE OF YOU OR PART OF YOUR FAMILY IN THE HOSPITAL. AS FOR MY ONLY COMMENTS ON THIS SITE I SAID READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. EVIDENTLY PEOPLE ONLY READ EVERY OTHER WORD. THEN I COMMENTED WHEN SOME JERK SAID I SHOULDN’T USE CAPITALS, THAT’SS SHOUTING, WHO MADE THAT RULE? IS THAT LIKE NO RIGHT TURN ON RED? I USE CAPITALS SO I CAN SEE WHAT I WRITE, IN CASE I WANT TO ADD A COMMA OR SUCH. SO IN MEAN TIME FIND ANOTHER HORSE TO WHIP OR DOG TO KICK. LAST TIME I LOOKED WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT LETS US WRITE IN CAPS OR STATE WHAT WE THINK. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME YOU HAVE THE BEST DAY YOUR LITTLE MIND WILL LET YOU HAVE.

I am a Democrat also and I like your capitals as I am a senior citizen and much easier to read for me..I also voted for Obama..we have a nice family in the white house. They ALL have made mistakes..geee…

Judy, you can increase the size of the font on your screen by holding the CTRL key on the keyboard and scrolling up with the scroll wheel on your mouse. To decrease just scroll down with the scroll wheel while holding the CTRL key.

Has anyone thought of trying a artificial tea light? Put some glitter paint on the inside of the jar. Maybe a small paint brush and some glue and paint it on the inside of the jar, or could maybe even do that on the tulle. Just a thought. In the lid of the jar you could drill 2 tiny hole for wire and make a hanger to hang on trees, or brackets, etc. I think I will try this and see what happens. Let’s have fun!

they sell this at the stores one place I have seen them at was Krogers Around Easter but u can look them up on the Net> but yes it does work for how long depemds on the size of the jar of bubbles and glow sticks and if u shake or stir. better stired

an alternative is to,have black paper with small holes in it all over . glue colored cellophane over the holes randomly … then put 1 or 2 electric/battery tea lights in that flicker. it will look like the fairies have varying amount of twinkle.

Considering glow sticks run on a reaction that lasts only a few hours, it’s understandable that the fairy effect in the jars would also not last very long. If you want a slightly more permanent effect, try using glow in the dark paint or some other material that would glow for longer.

The above person did NOT say re-glow!!! She said, “i dont know if this was mentioned, but i would presume, like glow sticks you can freeze the jars and they will keep the glow amount (or a little darker) from when they were frozen .”

I have tried this and now I am waiting to see what happens. I did not use the tulle. We are planning on using this for our children’s Christmas party at the American legion. Is the something else you can use besides the tulle??

We have discussed doing some of these for the kid’s play area for my daughter’s wedding reception. We will experiment with using empty plastic peanut butter jars because of the safety issue with glass and glue the lids on. We will also be sure to get the glow sticks that are non-toxic,

THANK YOU!!! We tried the “fairies in a jar” & it was the WORST tut. ever. And I came to the same conclusion that it was Photoshop. The girls were upset, but now I can redeem myself. thank you so much!!!!!

Wishing your mom will feel better soon. It’s very touching when they keep thinking about us even when th#28e&y17;re the one that needs us.I’ve done this before last year when both my parents got sick with just weeks apart.You are a wonderful daughter, Margie.

No, they don’t keep glowing. I heard that to get a jar that keeps glowing, you need to go and buy some decent glow paint from a nearby craft store or something. Have yet to try it myself, but the glow doesn’t last from the sticks.

Hai, my name is Emma, I tried this tutorial (well..another, but similair) and I’d cut my glowstick above the glass-tube, so the plastic one fell off.
And I gently broke the glass tube, but I had to really shake and wait wait wait untill there was a little bit glowing fluid on the bottom of the jar.
When I started shaking it again, it glowed a little more, so it was still cool, but not at all like the (photoshopped?) things I see online.
Did you only use one glowstick, like me? Or a few?
And is it supposed to take long, I expected it to be pour-able..but this was like some sortof almost-dried-glue.

The problem of slowly moving fluid is capillary action. To fix this problem cut one end off then flip the tube over (with the clipped end inside the jar) and clip the other end (now the top) off so that it will flow freely. I did this and the fluid came right out.

For the red tulle one…say you emptied the glow sticks into a bowl and then dipped the tulle in it so it would pick up more of the liquid, I wonder if it would look more like the “photoshopped” example…

Thanks for your idea! I’m sure that would work, but I didn’t try that method and I can’t say I would advise it since there are small pieces of broken glass within the glow sticks. If you do try that method, be sure to wear protective gloves!

Do these glow jars or faires last forever because a glow stick only glows for about one night and that’s the night when you crack it so I was wondering how long it lasts cause I don’t want to have to replace it over and over again

Sorry I know you’ve been asked this question a ton of times and I did read through the comments but was left unclear. I want to make the glow jars the night before, without needed to use glow paint or a black light. Can I use your technique and then leavr the jars in the freezer? Would they be able to use the next night?

Hi Lizzie, I have yet to try leaving the jars in the freezer. In theory it may work, however I can’t say for sure since I haven’t don it myself. If I hear of anyone who has tried it out I’ll be sure to let you know!

I filled the jars with plastic gems you can purchase at the craft store and then added the glow stick to them. You can add a glow stick each night to reuse the jars as long as you keep the jar lid on securely tight.

You can use non toxic highlighter pens in your desired colour to make coloured water to add character to your functions or at home. While they don’t look as effective they do add a nice touch and safer with kids around. You will require a black light though. I understand they can also be used for making cocktails but apparently don’t taste very good so add lots alcohol 🙂

you can buy glow paint at any craft store, michael’s, joann’s, hobby lobby etc….martha stewart has a line of paint through plaid enterprises that make bigger jars of glow paint too. hopw that helps! oh, they also carry glow hot glue sticks and polymer clay that glows!

DO NOT USE GLOW PAINT…you will be disappointed. They do not really glow even though they are set in the sun and the result does not look like fairies in the least…just look like blobs of paint smeared around the jar!

You can control the color by just using glow sticks in your desired colors. Just keep in mind that they don’t last more than a few hours in the dark, if you’re using a black light then they last much longer.

Has anyone tried this with laundry detergent and a black light? When my friend was in college I painted pictures with Tide on his walls, and it fluoresces when you shine a black light on it! If you try this with your jars, it can be used over and over, altho it doesn’t just glow on it’s own.

I can’t caution enough to WEAR GOGGLES when breaking open those glow sticks! When I was little I broke open a glow stick to see if it would glow on my fingers, and in the process of cutting the stick open, it squirted in my eye. I couldn’t see out of it for hours and it was absolutely excruciating! So yeah. Goggles might look silly, but…

For using the glow paint, maybe you could pick up some paint in the straw end that goes in the jar, and while turning the jar, blow gently through the straw? I would do one color at a time, and wait for it to dry before starting the next color. You could probably use an airbrush tool, if you have one. Or get a bubble blowing wand, and blow the bubbles into the jar with paint on them, maybe using the glowy paint and mixing it with the soap (use very little just enough to make bubbles!). Meanwhile, have fun, these are cute!

I have no idea what would happen. Apparently they are not flammable, but I would NOT recommend trying it. It sounds a little dangerous…. now, if some company made a black light version of those little led candles, that would be cool in the jar!

You know they only glow for a few hours, but if you use a black light they’ll last longer, and if you read through the comments you’ll find some great ideas from my readers on how to make glow jars that last much longer!

Hi,
So came across this post a little while back and I read some of the first comments and it gave me a great idea, instead of using glow sticks, or glow in the dark paint, I used glow in the dark glitter glue, it dried clear with a little of glitter shimmering in there. So it looks like the only thing in there is a piece of tulle. I will be sending these jars to my nieces (all 4 of them) as a little spring surprise. The only thing they have to do is take it outside or put it under a light to charge them and they will glow. I hope this gives someone a better idea on how to make these elusive fairies stay just a little longer. 🙂

we have 4 girls and used some old baby food jars that we still had. that way each girl could have her own jar and pick her own colors. they had great fun making them and each choose a different color glow stick. we stuck em’ in the freezer and they plan on using them as night lights tonight

I’ve heard that glow in the dark glue works better than the paint, that it charges up again well. I think that’s what we’ll try. I’m excited! I’ve been collecting interesting jars for over a month, from stuff like capers, jams and preserves, spreads, and sauces, and I think I’ll pull out a couple of old baby food jars, too! They’ll make great gifts!

I am way behind on this. Love the fairies. I was inspired by the glow in the dark paint though. I wonder about spatter painting the tulle with the glow in the dark paint using a tooth brush. Then putting the tulle into the jar. Just might work.

I was wondering if after you put the glow material in the jars if you add water or anything else to the jar to make the glow material come up higher ( kinda like a lava lamp). Please let me know as soon as possible.

When you shake the glow sticks into the jars, the glow material splatters around all over the sides from top to bottom. The piece of tulle I put inside also caught the glowing drops, creating the floating ‘fairies’ look.
I did not try adding water, so I am not sure if the glow material would float around in the water or not. If you do try that method, I would love to hear whether or not it works!

We tried this tonight without the tulle. We also tried adding water to make more liquid. NOT a good idea. The water separates from the glow and puts out its light. I also tried adding oil to see what will happen. There oil really separated everything and just globbed around the center but the glow light also went out immediately.

Thanks for sharing your experiences exploring the glow jars! It’s always great to hear what works and what doesn’t! Another reader had a good idea to use glow paint and splatter it onto the tulle. I think that sounds like it would work out well, I may try it out soon and I’ll update my post when I do!

Of course it looks nice, and I don´t really like to bring down the jolly mood, but for Pete´s sake we need to be more ecologically responsible when we do stuff with our kids. The Glow sticks are just plastic crap, which end polluting the planet after a short entertainment, and the stuff inside is toxic and abrasive. There are so man other more safer and greener things to do with kids!!

Dear Shaleah,
Thank you soo much for this link, I absolutely love your glow in the dark jars. 🙂 (especially the second one on the first photo) I didn’t use the same technique, but it’s very interesting, and obviously look much like jellyfish. 🙂
Can’t wait to see more of your ideas!

I saw that some one had asked if the jars are reusiable. I thought I would sujest a black light. I find that even spent glow sticks will gain a new life as long as its near a black light. A good way I think to make these jarslast for a long while as say for a night light for a little kids room or just night time decor is to get some wood make a simple 3 sided bow that will fit over the blacklight of your choice. Make sure that the top pf your box has hole(s) that are slightly smaller than the jar(s) that you are useing and then there you so. set the jar on top let the light shine though the bottom of the glass and the jars can be used over and over for as long as you would like. Just a simple suggestion to continuously show off your good work. 🙂

Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I would imagine the glowing paint would make the jars reusable, and they’d last for a good amount of time. But when you have little ones, sometimes you just don’t have the time for a time-consuming project. I know I usually don’t!

No glitter used! I figured the glitter would end up just sticking to the sides of the jars, and I was trying to create the illusion of floating fairies, suspended in the center of the jar. The tulle helped me achieve this!

We did use glitter in our jars but as Shaleah said, the glitter, especially if too much is used will stick to the side of the jar. If you use too much of the glitter it will soak up the glow and it will go out. The less glitter the better.

Thanks for a real tutorial. I’ve seen this idea on Pinterest so many times, with the original Photoshop image (which only linked to a Flickr page when it first appeared)…Nice to see someone posting something more real.

There are a bunch of us still getting stuff done, not conlapinimg all the time and not looking for excuses or blaming other groups. And that means a lot of us are still getting paid well, getting promoted and enjoying our jobs.But are you producing quality product that customers are excited about?

Just as an FYI, while there are chemicals in glow sticks, they are entirely non-toxic (not that I recommend eating them or anything!). The tiny glass shards are something to be careful of, but when comparing the two, it’s the glass to worry about, and not what’s inside the glow sticks. Great project idea, thanks!

These lasted a few hours for us, which ended up being the perfect amount of time. Sometimes we preserve our glow sticks by putting them in the freezer, I haven’t tried this with the glow jars but that may be a way to save them for use again later. As far as reusing the jars, I wouldn’t recommend that. With the tiny pieces of glass and chemicals in the jar, I think it’s best to just get rid of them.

Hi Shaleah,
Can’t wait to try these, they look fantastic and my 3 fairy princesses will LOVE them. Just wondering how far ahead they can be made ie in the morning, or the day before; or only just before dark time?
Cheers,
Gretchen

Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for sharing. I have seen that method before, and it’s a great one, we plan to try it soon. The paints were a little pricey, but I come up with a couple other projects we can use them on I’ll order some. Let me know if you find a good deal on the glow paints.
The jars we made are a fun afternoon experiment, and they only cost $1 (we found glow sticks at the dollar store).